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Nursery at Mersey Primary Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Rhymes, songs and learning through play give Mersey’s nursery its early-years character. Known as Foundation One, it forms part of the academy’s foundation unit on Derwent Street in Hull. Language is a school priority, and the foundation-stage leader also leads phonics and early reading, connecting the youngest children’s learning with that wider focus.
Play-based activities, singing and rhymes are part of nursery learning. These give children ways to participate before they can read independently. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers their early development and learning; Mersey aims to match teaching experiences to children’s needs rather than treat them as identical learners.
The Reading Enhanced Curriculum begins in early years. Age-appropriate books introduce learning, with additional texts supporting discussion and vocabulary. For parents, the practical emphasis is on language: books provide something to talk about as well as something to listen to. Mersey’s curriculum also builds in practice and repetition so children can return to learning rather than encounter it only once.
Settling starts with information from home. Nursery children receive home visits, while parent meetings, questionnaires and contact with previous settings help staff prepare for individual needs. New children also have opportunities to visit the academy. This gives families several ways to explain what their child needs before starting.
An EYFS teaching assistant works with nursery-age children, and the early-years team includes a teaching assistant who is also a Thrive practitioner. For children with special educational needs or disabilities, the class teacher and SENCo plan support with parents. Termly reviews revisit agreed goals; Speech and Language Therapy and IPaSS, the Integrated Physical and Sensory Service, are among the specialist services involved when needed. Early-years children with EHC Plans have reviews every six months.
Food is prepared on the school site each day. Choices include vegetarian dishes alongside cold and hot meals, and drinking water is freely accessible. The academy offers EYFS children a free meal. Ramps and an accessible toilet are practical features for families considering physical access.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, with Hull City Council coordinating applications and offering places. Apply by the deadline for your child’s entry year.
For 2027/28, the proposed arrangements place nursery attendance fifth among the oversubscription criteria, provided the child has attended Foundation One for at least the three terms before Reception admission. That is conditional priority, rather than an assured place, and earlier criteria still take precedence.
Preparation for a class change is a separate matter. Children visit their next classroom and meet its teacher and teaching assistant. Within SEND transition support, extra visits can be arranged for children anxious about change, alongside a Transition Booklet. Teachers exchange information in advance so support can continue across the move.
Nursery uniform combines a white shirt, blouse or polo with grey or black trousers or a skirt and a royal-blue sweatshirt, cardigan or jumper. Logos are optional. Footwear must be entirely black, and clothing and equipment should carry the child’s name and class to help identify belongings.
For nursery enquiries, contact the academy on 01482 761320 or email info@merseypa.org.uk. Families discussing additional needs can reach the SENCo through those same contact details.
Mersey’s nursery is Foundation One and forms part of the academy’s foundation unit.
Play-based activities, rhymes and songs feature in nursery learning. The academy’s Reading Enhanced Curriculum starts in early years and uses age-appropriate books to introduce learning and discussion.
Nursery children receive home visits. Parent meetings, questionnaires and information from previous settings help staff prepare, and new children can visit the academy.
No. Reception requires a separate application through Hull City Council. The proposed 2027/28 arrangements give fifth-criterion priority to children who have attended the nursery for at least the three terms before admission, subject to the earlier criteria.
Yes. Nursery uniform includes royal blue knitwear or a sweatshirt, a white top, grey or black trousers or a skirt and entirely black footwear. A logo is optional.
